An individual who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She said the man continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
